Stress Test software for new build

Just got the parts for a new computer, looking for software that I can use to stress test it wants I have it together. I'll be using a Windows XP 64 to start with and being it to either Windows 7 or server 2008.

Thank you.

Outside of Windows: run memtest86+ (off the bootable CD you can make) for at least 3 complete cycles, should take 1-2 hours tops, if it passes then the RAM is effectively "A-OK"

Inside Windows: ORTHOS or Prime95 stress testing is recommended, the most popular ones as well. 3DMark for stress testing the video GPU by looping the testing for a few hours, perhaps. PCMark Vantage is a good all-in-one test that stresses most every component in a PC running Vista or Windows 7 (doesn't work with XP Pro x64 or XP).

I gave up "stress testing" PCs a few years ago - when I put one together, it just works. If it's got issues, I'll address them if and when they appear, but I've moved on from spending days doing testing for no good reason in the long run. Only component that's ever "failed" on me is RAM and that was caught with memtest86+ (and if RAM is bad, you'll know it immediately within the first pass, practically guaranteed).

I know some folks will stress test their machines for 24+ hours, some even more than 2-3 days straight, I just feel that's going way past excessive since even the makers of the hardware the PC might be built from wouldn't put their own hardware through such stressful situations.

But it's your machine, waste as much or as little time on it as you feel necessary.

I used to run FurMark to stress the GPU sometimes on new builds. http://www.ozone3d.net/benchmarks/fur/

I usually run Seatools bootable to test the hard drive before installation, and MemTest on the RAM. After everything is finished, I run HotCPU to test stability/heat.

thank you for your advice, its been awhile since I've done a build that was my own computer so I'm excited to get it built and start tinkering with it